Islhahi Ijtima 2018

Tasawuf

A Hindu who was the mureed of a Buzurg (saint) once came to Hadhrat Gangohi rahimahullāh and requested to take bay’ah to him since the Buzurg had passed away. Hadhrat Gangohi rahimahullāh stipulated that he should first accept Islam. The Hindu refused and left.

Some people said to Hadhrat Gangohi rahimahullāh that, by initiating him as his mureed, the Hindu would have come closer to Islam. Hadhrat Gangohi rahimahullāh commented:

“No! He would in fact have drifted even further away from Islam. Sometimes, in consequence to Thikr and Shughl, develops the incidence of kashf (inspiration from the celestial and heavenly realms). Should this happen, the Hindu will labour under the misconception that Islam is not conditional to reaching Allah Ta’ala. These experiences (kashf and Ilhaam etc.) have no relevance to spiritual excellence. Furthermore, the aqeedah (beliefs) of others will also be corrupted. Some of them will infer that Islam is not conditional to Tasawwuf.”

The question arises: Why did the Buzurg accept the Hindu as his mureed? The reason for this was the ecstatic spiritual state of that (particular) Buzurg. Sometimes their gaze is focussed on insignificant things while they remain oblivious to important issues.

[Hafiz Abdurrahman Mia Rahmatullah ‘Alayh]There are four requirements that a Saalik (Devotee) needs to observe in order to progress spiritually. These requirements are necessary at all times. The two aspects to be considered before Bay’ah are:

I’TIQAAD (firm conviction) and

I’TIMAAD (complete reliance).

If the Saalik has no conviction in the Sheikh, then he will never benefit from the Sheikh. Similarly, if there is no reliance in the Sheikh's teachings or advice, a Saalik will always be in a state of agitation. The two requirements to be observed after Bay’ah are extremely necessary for continued progress. They are: 1. ITTILAA’ (communication) and 2. ITTIBAA’ (obedience). Without informing the Sheikh of one's progress, the Sheikh will not be able to detect any deficiencies in the Mureed's condition.

A one and a half-year-old child is seated with a group of women amongst whom are his mother, sister, aunt etc. This child will sit on the laps of each one of these women, but when he is hungry, it is only the breast of his mother which will be opened to him. He will not go to any other women because he is only satisfied through his mother.

Similarly, a patient knows that there are several doctors in his town. However, when he is ill, he will consult only the one doctor in whom he has confidence. He knows that all the other doctors are qualified and he respects each one of them, but he only feels comfortable consulting that one specific doctor.

For the pleasure of Allah Jallah Jallaho and Rasullulah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam on the instruction of my sheikh damat barakatum.I write about my good fortune spiritually since Allah has made it possible for an unworthy servant like myself to be connected to Hazrat Moulana Ebrahim Mia damat barakatuhu.

About ten years ago, I was a very rebellious person, as a result of which violence was the order of my day. Allah Jallah Jallaho gave me tawfeeq & hidayat to acquire deeni taalim which I did with an arabic background but something was certainly lacking. In my zeal for applying Qur'an & Sunnah I found myself pushing my family,loved ones & general folk away. Although I was well received amongst the indigenous African brothers. The reality of the burning coal effect of standing on Sharia & Sunnah was felt. I never realised that there was a flip side to Tabligh an Da'wat. When everything was on the brink of total collapse Allah Jallah Jallaho made it happen ,I became connected with the Khanqah E' Sheikh Zakariyya.

I began attending Hazrat's (R.A) majlis is of thikr & naseehat. Draped in fancy shawls, scarves & turban, acting like one buzrook I soon came to realise what a nothing I am. How far away nafs, dunya & shaytaan had hijacked me from the spirituality of things. Being in the company of Hadhrat Mia damutbarakatum started making me more & more concience of my spiritual maladies, such my passion for being recognised by others, my wanting to be aloof & better than others, my wanting my way in matters deeni. However when it came to dunyaawi matters, I found myself with Allahs qudrat, that I was somewhat disinclined as a result of my upbringing. Dunyah was priority no.1 in my life, so much so that I started pursuing deen in every aspect to shut out dunyah.

Hadhrat Mia's damutbarakatum spiritual excersises & discourses began making a change in my life a reality. The cleansing of the heart was priority, for this thikr with constancy was very necessary.

Those devotees who seek things which are not within their control will always remain in a state of confusion and distress. No promise has been given that we will see the fruit of our devotion. That we will acquire it, is also not an accomplished fact. To think and grieve about it will only lead to total distress. It is apparent that we will only receive the recompense for those devotions, for which we have been promised reward, in the Hereafter. Therefore, seeking it in this world will only lead to our distress. When Allah Ta'ala has commanded us to fulfil a certain act and has promised us such and such a reward, our duty is to simply fulfil that command. He will, Himself, fulfil His Promise in the Hereafter. To search for the fruit of our devotion is thus against ‘Abdiyyat (submitting to the Command of Allah Ta'ala.)

Likewise, asking yourself: “I have been practising for so many days. Have I attained anything or not?” is contrary to sincerity, because it proves one’s desire for and haste in receiving compensation. In fact, what is attained gradually, through reformation and progress, is not even known to a person.

[Ashraful-Uloom, pg. 21]

Advice No. 9

A Saalik should not propose anything for himself. Whatever Allah Ta'ala desires, He will decide for you. There are some Saalikeen who desire to be Sheikhs. Their Zikr and Shughal are done with the aim and secret aspiration that, some day, they will become a Sheikh and a leader and then they will reform the creation. Remember that Allah Ta'ala has not decreed that everyone should attain the position of a Sheikh. For a Saalik to have such desires is also a sin.

[Ashraful-Uloom, pg. 22]

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99 INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF HAZRAT SHEIKHMOULANA IBRAHIM MIA رحمة لله علیھ Hazrat Sheikh Moulana Ibrahim Mia رحمة لله علیھ , khalifa of Hazrat SheikhZakariyya Khandelvi رحمة لله علیھ dedicated his life to the desire of his Sheikh,i.e. the establishment of the Majaalis of Zikr. To this end, Hazrat travelledextensively and spread the nur of zikrullah and inspired many people tochange their lives.

This book is a collection of interesting anecdotes and lessons as experiencedand narrated by Hazrat’s mureedeen.